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Bible Reading — Exodus 2:1-10 #
Key Verse:
Exodus 2:3 — But when she was no longer able to hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him and sealed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and set it among the reeds along the edge of the Nile.
According to the reading for today, the people of God, Israel (also known as the Hebrews), were held as slaves in Egypt for several years. Their population had expanded since Joseph’s (Exodus 1), but a new Pharaoh, who was afraid of Israel’s rising number and strength, forced them into slavery to gain power.
Pharaoh’s Oppression #
Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, even made an effort to kill the young boys of Israel by hurling them into the Nile River. Some writers of the Old Testament referred to the Egyptian empire as “Rahab,” after a mythological monster that symbolised the sea and its chaos.
In Psalms 89:10, it is written:
Psalms 89:10 — You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; you have scattered your enemies with your strong arm.
The meaning of Rahab in Hebrew here is,
H7294 רַהַב Rahab (rah’-haɓ): Meaning boaster, used as an epithet for Egypt.
In Isaiah 30:7, it continues:
Isaiah 30:7 — For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
Further, Isaiah 51:9-10 says:
Isaiah 51:9-10 — Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Are you not it that has cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Are you not it which has dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
This was done because of the horrible cruelty that existed in Egypt.
Water as a Symbol of Salvation #
The fact that water symbolises a source of salvation for God’s people is displayed. A Hebrew woman hides her little son in a basket and puts it among the reeds that are located along the Nile River.
One possible translation of the Hebrew word “basket” is “ark.” What comes to mind when you think of the story of Noah and his family being saved from the flood in Genesis 8?
We know the “ark” represents Christ.
Moses’ Rescue and God’s Deliverance #
Following this, the daughter of the Pharaoh comes upon this newborn and decides to bring him up as her son. She refers to him as Moses saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
Exodus 3-12 describes how God ultimately chooses Moses to be the leader who would confront Pharaoh and lead Israel out of slavery.
The Defeat of Rahab and Salvation Through Water #
The devil Rahab (Egypt) is defeated by God, and his people are also saved. Furthermore, the water, which had the potential to be lethal, turns out to be a medium through which God’s touch might lead to freedom.
Prayer #
Heavenly Father,
As we are in your presence, we are thankful for Your great power and unwavering love. You saved Your people from Egypt’s injustice, and we believe that You will also save us from the problems we are facing now. You are the one who breaks down the enemy’s bases and finds a way when there doesn’t seem to be one.
Lord, give us the strength to believe in Your plans even when we can’t see how they will work out. We believe that You are looking over us and our loved ones and leading us to freedom and safety, just like You did for Moses when You led him safely through the water. Help us rest in the fact that You saved us, are our safe place, and are our power.
We ask that You give us faith like Moses did so that we can hear Your call and follow it, trusting that You will free us from fear, doubt, or hardship. Please help us always remember that even things that are made to hurt us can be saved by Your touch.
Unfailing Love and safety are from You. Lord, You are always there for me. We believe that You can do far more than we can ask or think, and we give up everything to Your perfect will. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Blessings,
Shaliach.
